NPL2 East 2019: Former Newcastle Jets A-League coach Scott Miller begins Langwarrin tenure

They had to lock the car park at Langwarrin soccer club on Saturday as fans flocked to see Langy, under new coach Scott Miller, start the NPL2 season.

Scott Miller coaches Langwarrin on Saturday. The former head coach of A-League club Newcastle Jets says Langy “will only get better’’. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They had to lock the car park at Langwarrin soccer club on Saturday as fans flocked to see Langy, under new coach Scott Miller, start the NPL2 season.

A fairy-tale first-up win by Langwarrin was scuttled in the 97th minute when Melbourne City scored the match-winner, prevailing 3-2, in front of the one of the biggest crowds seen at Lawton Park.

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But the Langwarrin fans were far from upset. They gave their players a standing ovation as they came off the pitch, appreciating their efforts to fight back from two-nil down.

“To see the team come back to 2-2 and see them concede in such late fashion, it was disappointing, but the reaction was brilliant and it’s what the Langwarrin people want,’’ Miller said.

Langwarrin’s John Kuol flies high against Melbourne City’s Mark Karlic. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Callum Goulding was man-of-the-match for Langwarrin on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“They want that hard desire and they showed them that in the second half, it was pleasing to see.’’

Miller said Langwarrin, after a nervous start, had Melbourne City, with a raft of international players, “on the ropes’’ for much of the second half.

“We were so aggressive in the last 30 minutes that Melbourne City really couldn’t even get the ball in play,’’ he said.

Jordan Templin (Langwarrin) and Connor Metcalfe (Melbourne) battle for the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Miller, a former head coach of A-League club Newcastle Jets, believes Langy will only get better.

“You learn so much in defeat, that’s the way I see it,’’ he said.

“To see the ability to react from a real cautious start and to be two goals down, it really defines and builds a team confidence irrespective of the loss.

“They recognise their ability now, not playing well, they can take a team with 13 international players on their books, all the way. So we will only get better.’’

Former Melbourne Victory player Callum Goulding, 21, was outstanding for Langwarrin and went home with man-of-the-match honours.

Langwarrin is again at home this Saturday against Northcote City, at 3pm.